INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION

Instructor: Clark D. Haptonstall, Ph.D.Office: Tudor Fieldhouse, room 205-AEmail: please send all emails regarding this class through Canvas InboxOffice: 713-348-8813Cell: 281-804-0447Office Hours: by appointment

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALSClass web site: http://canvas.rice.eduRequired Text: All readings will be made available on Canvas.Pre-requisite: SMGT 260 (Introduction to Sport Management) and SMGT 362 (Sport Marketing).

COURSE OVERVIEWCommunicating effectively with the public, media, and customers is very important for all sport businesses and organizations. Being able to successfully communicate positive messages about your brand is critical. This class is designed to teach students about the different methods and opportunities that are available to an organization to communicate with the various publics while also positioning your brand in a beneficial way. You will learn how to produce superior and effective communication in a way that is designed to get people to think favorably about your brand.

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES Explain how communication studies theories relate to various elements of sport media Demonstrate an understanding of the impact media has on society and the way the public views

the subject matter Recognize the importance and role of crafting and delivering a public relations pitch letter Interpret the significance of the various audiences to which PR writing is addressed Evaluate the value of community relations in the sport industry and its role in building an

organization’s brand

POINTS & ASSIGNMENTS(estimated, subject to change)Personal Brand presentation...............................5 pointsBlog post.............................................................5 pointsPitch letter..........................................................5 pointsMedia opportunity analysis presentation............5 pointsSocial Media assignment.....................................3 pointsCrisis Management assignment..........................5 pointsPress release assignment..................................10 pointsWebsite article..................................................10 pointsTest...................................................................25 pointsCommunity Relations project............................25 pointsTotal ....................................................98 points

ASSIGNMENTSPersonal Brand presentation (5 points): see Canvas for a description.

1

Course: SMGT 466 – Sport Public RelationsTerm: Spring 2018

Class: Wednesdays from 1pm-3:30pm

Blog post (5 points): see Canvas for a description.

Pitch letter (5 points): see Canvas for a description.

Media opportunity analysis presentation (5 points): see Canvas for a description.

Social Media assignment (3 points): see Canvas for a description.

Crisis Management assignment (5 points): see Canvas for a description.

Press release assignment (10 points): see Canvas for a description.

Website article (10 points): see Canvas for a description.

Test (25 points): There will be one test during the semester.

Community relations project (25 points): see Canvas for a description.

GRADE POLICIES99-100% = A+ 93-98.9% = A 90-92.9% = A-87-89.9% = B+ 83-86.9% = B 80-82.9% = B-77-79.9% = C+ 73-76.9% = C 70-72.9% = C-67-69.9% = D+ 63-66.9% = D 60-62.9% = D-59.9% or below = F

NO EXTRA CHARGEThroughout the semester, I will e-mail to you various articles which are sport management related. In the subject line, if it reads “no extra charge,” that means I’m just sending it to you because I think that you will find it interesting. It is not information that we appear on a test, quiz, homework, or as part of any assignment.

DEADLINESNote the use of the word deadline rather than due date. Work is due as soon as you can possibly complete and submit it for each assignment. The deadline is the last possible day during which work will be accepted and is subject to possible technical problems and consequences. Never wait until the deadline date to submit work. Get in the habit of submitting work 24-48 hours before the deadline. If you are going to miss class for any reason, your assignment is still expected before or on the deadline. In this course, late assignments will receive a maximum score of 50%. No late assignments will be accepted after the final day of class at 11:59pm.

RICE HONOR CODEIn this course, all students will be held to the standards of the Rice Honor Code, a code that you pledged to honor when you matriculated at this institution. If you are unfamiliar with the details of this code and how it is administered, you should consult the Honor System Handbook at http://honor.rice.edu/honor-system-handbook/. This handbook outlines the University's expectations for the integrity of your academic work, the procedures for resolving alleged violations of those expectations, and the rights and responsibilities of students and faculty members throughout the process.

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICESIf you have a documented disability or other condition that may affect academic performance you should: 1) make sure this documentation is on file with Disability Support Services (Allen Center, Room 111 / adarice@rice.edu / x5841) to determine the accommodations you need; and 2) talk with me to discuss your accommodation needs.

SYLLABUS CHANGE POLICYThis syllabus is only a guide for the course and is subject to change.

2

CLASS RULES & EXPECTATIONS Do not use your phone, smart watch, tablet, computer, etc. during class unless instructed Take care of your business. Don’t make your problems into someone else’s problems. Do your job. Give solutions, not problems. Be a pro.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

PRESENTATION GRADING GUIDELINES

“A” quality

Presenter goes above-and-beyond in finding additional information about their subject area

Presenter commands the room Presenter shows confidence and doesn’t overly rely on

their notes Presenter comes across as the “world’s leading expert”

in their subject area Presentation is better than 80% of their classmate’s

presentations Presenter’s word choice and sentence structure is

suitable for Rice-level work Presenter has no technology issues Presenter uses terminology that he/she has learned in

this class and others Presenter cares about their appearance

Things that will hurt your grade

Presenter reads too much off of their slides Presentation lacks excitement Presenter is not enthusiastic or confident Presenter relies too much on their notes Presenter does not come across as the “world’s leading

expert” in their subject area Presenter gives an average or below average

presentation when compared to their classmates Presenter’s word choice and sentence structure is not

suitable for Rice-level work Presenter has technology issues

3